Sheshnag lake – A dream in the Mountains

Sheshnag, the finest specimen of mountain lakes, is on way to the world

famous ‘Shiva Sanctum’, Amarnath Cave, via the time tested traditional route of 125 kms from Srinagar and 28 kms from Phalgam. Once a pilgrim overcomes the most difficult ascending terrain, the Pissu Gatti the devotee reaches the lake.  Sheshnag is situated at the north-eastern extremity of Dachinpara around 11,730 ft. above the sea level. An ascent of 800 ft. will take the trekkers to the fascinating encamping ground of Wavjan.

          Wavjan is about 12,230 ft. from the sea level, famous for its strong and notorious winds. No pilgrim goes direct to Wavjan because en route lies the fascinating and serene waters of the Sheshnag lake.

The lake is one km long and half a km broad connected with a small lake called Zamtinag which is an enormous glacier. Another small lake Sonasarnag is situated two kms from Sheshnag in the South-west extremity of the Naru Wardwan Valley. Sheshnag is, covered with ice till June, which is fed by the Kohenhar glacier (5178 metres) it looks like the hood of a serpent and hence derived its name. 

          Gratinpura, a glacier stream, flows into the North-east corner of the lake. Sheshnag is held in great reverence and visited by the pilgrims en route to the sacred Amarnath Cave which enshrines the Shiva – ice – lingam. Pilgrims perform their ablution in the lake’s sacred waters to wash their minds of the misconceptions developed in the material world. 

         

 There is no habitation around the lake. No wood is procurable except ‘Kanifer’. The grassy valley of Sheshnag affords nothing except the ample space for encamping with a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains. Every year, pilgrims in lakhs en route to the holy Amarnah Cave visit the Sheshnag lake too. People usually keep a watch over the Sheshnag lake to have the holy ‘dharshan’ of the ‘serpent god’ a snake with more than one head. Sheshang always invites attention of the visitors especially the foreigners who are the real lovers of peace, beauty and tranquility.